The Blue Jays have released their 2018 Instructional League roster.
What’s often interesting about these rosters are some of the names who appear on it:
-Jol Concepcion and Naswell Paulino were both considered up-and-coming arms in the system before both were suspended for PED use last fall;
-Pitcher Luke Gillingham, who was taken in the 37th round in 2016 out of the US Naval Academy. Gillingham pitched at Bluefield that year, but has been serving us commitment to the Navy since then;
-Reliever Kelyn Jose has a triple digit fastball, but little command. Injuries limited him to 2 GCL innings this year;
-Nate Pearson, whose 2018 consisted of 1.1 innings. Some thought he would be recovered from an arm fracture in time to take part in the Arizona Fall League, but the team has opted for caution with their top Pitching prospect.
Annnnnd……no sooner had we hit the publish button then this Tweet appeared:
Blue Jays have informed Nate Pearson he’s going to Arizona Fall League. He recently returned to pitching after missing nearly the entire season with a fractured right forearm. Plan is for Pearson to continue building up in Florida instructional league until AFL begins.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) September 12, 2018
-two-way player Andy McGuire, who filled roles on the mound and as a position player at Blufield has been invited as a Pitcher;
-Franciso Rios was once a promising starter at the lower levels, but was converted to relief and missed time due to injury this year;
-SS Hugo Cardona, who also missed 2018 due to a PED ban after a promising rookie season;
-top July 2nd IFA signing SS Orelvis Martinez, who adds to the up-the-middle depth the organization is building;
-2018 2nd rounder Griffin Conine, who had something of an up-and-down first pro season with Vancouver.
The schedule below shows a shorter camp for Toronto players than those from other teams who train in the area:
